When Emperor Changwu returned to the capital, everyone expected Prince Rui to return the throne. Who would have thought that Emperor Changwu would continue to use his poor health as an excuse to recuperate.
As for the Crown Prince, he was not even mentioned. Every morning at court, the officials would look at Prince Rui sitting on the dragon throne, then at the Crown Prince standing with his head bowed below, and feel very awkward. What kind of expression should they put on?
His Majesty the Emperor is truly something, to step on one son to elevate another.
Emperor Changwu felt wronged; he had actually spoken to the Crown Prince several times. If hints didn't work, he would be explicit, but the Crown Prince insisted on playing dumb.
However, it was understandable. If one had the chance to ascend to the highest position, how many could truly be content with being a prince?
Therefore, Emperor Changwu did not pressure him.
In any case, although his health was not robust, he wouldn't die anytime soon. Let him slowly come to understand.
Emperor Changwu was not in a hurry, and Situ Yan was also not in a hurry; his wife was about to give birth. Lu Nianfu was sent to the delivery room at midnight last night, but by noon, the child had still not arrived. He naturally had no mind for the morning court, so he sent a message to the palace and paced anxiously outside the delivery room.
Emperor Changwu, who had not woken up early in a long time, had no choice but to start working again. At the same time, he sent imperial physicians skilled in obstetrics and pediatrics to stand by at Prince Rui's mansion.
Ji Jin, without needing an imperial decree, heard the news and rushed over with her medicine box. Mo Sang, who had already become Madam Cheng the Third, also arrived. However, although their medical skills were superb, they were not as experienced as the seasoned midwives when it came to childbirth, and they could only look at each other anxiously outside.
Lu Nianfu's contractions became more frequent. By noon, there was little movement inside, making everyone even more anxious. Situ Yan's face was pale, and he involuntarily thought of Yao'er's birth. At that time, he was far away in Shanxi, and Fu'er was alone in the delivery room…
They say childbirth is a hurdle for women, but only when truly facing it did he realize how scared he was.
Ouyang Wen saw his distressed expression and was about to offer some comfort when he suddenly heard a hoarse scream from the delivery room, followed by the voices of the midwife and maids: "It's born, it's born."
Situ Yan rushed forward, just in time to meet the midwife coming out to announce the good news: "Congratulations, Your Highness, the Princess has given birth to a healthy baby boy."
"Where is the Princess? How is she?" As he spoke, he tried to rush in, but was blocked by the quick-handed Nanny Xu: "Oh, Your Highness, you cannot enter this place. Don't worry, the Princess is fine; she's just exhausted and asleep."
Situ Yan reluctantly peered inside, while the midwife holding a baby stood awkwardly to the side.
Why wasn't Prince Rui happy about having a son? Shouldn't he be giving her a reward at this time?
Ouyang Wen ran over and touched the baby's face: "Ayan, didn't you wish for a daughter every day? How is it another boy?"
Situ Yan said dejectedly: "Who knows?"
His longed-for sweet little padded jacket turned out to be a stinky boy, and his wife was so worn out that she fainted. Situ Yan was not pleased with this baby at all, and with just one glance, he had the midwife take him away. Fortunately, there were many people in the courtyard who doted on this child; otherwise, he would have been pitiful.
Madam Ban, murmuring prayers to Amitabha, went to the kitchen to personally simmer chicken soup for Lu Nianfu. Nanny Xu once again stood out to take charge, and the chaotic courtyard quickly returned to order. The washed baby lay in a prepared nest, wearing a onesie. His little face was rosy, and his skin was slightly wrinkled, making Yao'er frown: "Brother is so ugly."
Qingya smiled: "He'll be handsome when he grows up, and by then, the young heir will surely be very fond of him."
"He's not a sister."
Qingya: ...
She really wanted to ask the Princess how they, as a couple, had been talking, that even the young heir was convinced it should be a girl.
Although the process was a bit bumpy, the safe arrival of mother and child was the best outcome. Lu Nianfu slept until evening before waking up. If she hadn't been hungry, she might have slept until the next morning. Qingya was by her bedside. As soon as she woke up, she hurried to get the chicken soup.
Lu Nianfu was about to take a sip of water when she heard Situ Yan's voice from outside the window: "Wife, are you awake? Nanny Xu wouldn't let me in, so I can only talk to you from here."
Lu Nianfu's heart warmed. She quickly urged him to go back to the room to rest. "By the way, where is my daughter?"
"Forget about a daughter; it's another stinky boy."
"How can that be?" She clearly had very different pregnancy symptoms this time compared to when she was carrying Yao'er.
Situ Yan said: "Actually, a stinky boy is not bad. At least he won't have to go through the ordeal of childbirth when he grows up. You don't know how miserably you cried inside, and I could only worry outside."
Lu Nianfu: ...